Cleaning tool nozzle and agitator



March 16, 1954 c GERBER 2,671,925

CLEANING TOOL NOZZLE AND AGITATOR Filed June 10, 1948 2 Sheets-Sheet 1INVEN TOR. Dale 6. Gerber 4 19 J5 ATTORNEY.

March 16, 1954 c, GERBER 2,671,925

CLEANING TOOL NOZZLE AND AGITATOR Filed June 10, 1948 2 Sheets-Sheet 2IN V EN TOR.

Dale 6: Gerber- ATTORNEY.

Patented Mar. 16, 1954 CLEANING TOOL NOZZLE AND AGITATOR,

Dale G. Gerber, North Canton, Ohio, assignor to The Hoover Company,North Canton, Ohio, a

corporation of Ohio ApplicationJune 10, 1948,.Serial No.. 32,113,

7 Claims.

I The present invention relates to suction cleaners and moreparticularly to surface cleaning tools for use with suction cleaningapparatus. An object of. the invention is to provide a new and improvedsurface cleaning tool. object is to provide a cleaning tool having amovable nozzle lip to selectively provide nozzle mouths of'variedcross-sectional area. A further object is to provide a cleaning toolhaving a brush which is selectively operable with respect to the surfaceto be cleaned. Another object is to provide a cleaning tool having abrush which is selectively operable by a movable. nozzle lip. Otherobjects and advantages of the invention will be apparent from thefollowing specification and drawings wherein:

Figure I is a perspective view showing a cleaning tool connected to asuction cleaner apparatus;

Figure 2 is a fragmentary bottom plan view of one embodiment of theinvention;

Figure 3 is asection showing the large nozzle connected to the source ofsuction, and the brush in inoperative position;

Figure 4 is a section showing the cleaning tool elevated from thesurface to be cleaned with the movable nozzle lip in its projected.position;

Figure 5 is a section showing the small nozzle mouth connected to thesource of suction and the brush in operative position;

Figure 6 is a fragmentary bottom plan view of another embodiment of theinvention;

Figure 7 is a section showing the large nozzle mouth connected" to thesource of suction and the brush in inoperative position;

Figure 8 is a section showing the cleaning tool elevated from. thesurface to be cleaned with the movable nozzle lip in its projected;position; and

Figure 9 is a section showing the small nozzle mouth connected to thesource of suction and the brush inoperative position.

The embodiment of the invention disclosed in Figures 1 to 5 comprises asuction cleaner of the cylinder type having a casing I in which isdisposed an unshown filter and a source of suction, and extending fromthe casing III is a flexible hose II attached to av rigid wand I2connected to a cleaning tool I3.

The cleaning tool I3 includes a body I4 having a nozzle mouth I5.defined by a front lip I6, end lips II-Il and a rear lip I8, the latterforming, part of. a member I9 mounted on a pair of pins 29-29 each ofwhich is pivotally supported in one of the end lips H. The nozzle mouthL extends. substantially the length f the body I4. andcommunicates witha central air Another passageway 23 which at its upper end connects withthe rigid wand I2 and thus to thesource of. suction. A suitable swiveljoint 24 is provided to rotatably connect the rigid wand I2 to the bodyI4. A flexible member 25 is connected to the body It and to one end 26of the pivoted member I9 to form part of the air passageway 23, andcooperates with the end lips II-I'I and pivoted member I9 to form abristle housing chamber 28;

Each of the pins 20 is provided with a crank arm 29 and attached to thelatter and the adjacent end lip I I is a spring 30 disposed about thepin 29. The springs 39 normally urge the member I9 to the position shownin Figure 4 when the cleaning tool is elevated from the surface beingcleaned indicated at 32, whereby upon moving the cleaning tool forwardlyas it contacts the surface 32, the member I9 assumes the position inFigure 3 to form the nozzle mouth I5 and places it in operative cleaningrelation with the surface 32 and also connects it to the source ofsuction.

Formed in the pivoted member I9 is a nozzle mouth 35 for passage of ahigh velocity air stream, and it is of less cross-sectional area thanthe nozzle mouth I5. The small nozzle mouth 35 is placed in operativecleaning position with respect to the surface 32 by elevating thecleaning' tool as shown in Figure 4 and then pulling the tool rearwardlyas the edge 36 of the member I9 engages the surface 32 to thereby pivotthe member I9 to the position shown in Figure 5 to connect the smallnozzle mouth 35 with the air passageway 23 and thus the source ofsuction. When the pivoted member I9 is in the position shown in Figure5, the edge 36 of the pivoted member I9 seats in a recess 3Tand closesthe large nozzle mouth I5. The opposite sides of the pivoted member I9are provided with bearing surfaces 38 and 39 to respectively engage thesurface 32 when the large nozzle mouth I5 and small nozzle mouth 35 arein operative position with respect to the surface 32'.

At the rear of the cleaning tool body is an elongated recess 49 in whichis movably mounted the brush back 41- of a brush 42 having bristles 43.The bristles 43 are urged into engagement with the surface 32 by aplurality of spaced springs 44, only one of whichis shown.

and; projection of the brush 4.2 is, limited, by angular members 457- 45abutting the brush back 4.I. When the brush 42 is in operative p sition,Shown. in. Figure 5, the bristles; 43 ar moved into n a ement with thesurface 32 by rotating the cleaning tool body on the arcuate surfaces 46formed on the end lips IT. The bristles 43 are inoperative when thepivoted member I9 is in the position shown in Figure 3, in whichposition the member l9 covers the bristles 43 and also moves the brushinwardly of the recess 40 due to engagement of the member IS with thesurface being cleaned.

In operation, assume the cleaning tool is connected to the source ofsuction and is elevated from the surface 32 which is to be cleaned, asshown in Figure 4, and it is desired to employ the large nozzle mouth I5to remove non-imbedded dirt. At this elevated position of the cleaningtool, the Springs 38 pivot the member 19 to project the end 36 below thenozzle mouth as shown in Figure 4. The operator places the cleaning toolon the surface 32 with a forward motion to engage the member IS with thesurface 32 and cause it to move to the position shown in Figure 3. Inthis position the member [9 covers the bristles 43 to render theminoperative and the brush 42 is also moved upwardly into the recess 40against the force of the springs 44. When the member 19 is so adjustedthe large nozzle mouth I5 is defined by the front lip l6, end lips I l-|1 and the edge I 8 of the member l9, while the flexible member 25 formspart of the air passageway 23. The large nozzle mouth l5 provides forpassage of a relatively low velocity air stream to remove dirt from thesurface 32.

If the dirt, threads and other litter, is imbedded in the surface 32 thesmall nozzle 35 is employed. In order to shift the small nozzle mouth 35into operative position, the cleaning tool is elevated from the surface32 whereupon the springs 36 pivot the member 19 to the position shown inFigure 4. The operator then lowers the cleaning tool onto the surface 32with a rearward motion causing the edge 36 of the member l9 to engagethe surface 32 and move the member 19 to the position shown in Figure 5to thereby connect the small nozzle mouth 35 with the source of suction.The small nozzle mouth 35 permits passage of a high velocity air streamto remove the dirt from the surface 32.

When the member I9 is in the position shown in Figure 5, the bristles 43are uncovered and are urged into operative position by the springs 44.The bristles 43 engage the surface 32 upon rotation of the cleaning toolon the arcuate surfaces 46 of the end lips I! to thereby loosen the dirtfor passage through the small nozzle mouth 35.

The embodiment of the invention disclosed in Y Figures 6 to 9 comprisesa cleaning tool 55 having a nozzle mouth 56 defined by a rear lip 51,end lips 58-58 and a front lip 59 forming one edge of a member 60. Thenozzle mouth 56 communicates with an air passageway 6| which at itsupper end is rotatably joined with the rigid wand l2 for connection withthe source of suction in the casing ill. A flexible member 62 is seatedat'63 in the cleaning tool body and has its free end 64 curved forsealing engagement with the member 60 to form part of the air passageway6|.

The member 60 is mounted on pins 65-65 each of which is pivotallysupported in one of the end lips 58. Each of the pins 65 is providedwith a crank arm 66 and attached to the latter and the adjacent end lip58 is a spring 6'! disposed about the pin 65. The springs 6! normallyurge the member 60 to the position shown in Figure 8 when the cleaningtool. is l fted 19m 4 the surface to be cleaned indicated at 69, wherebyupon moving the cleaning tool rearwardly as it contacts the surface 69the member 6!! assumes the position shown in Figure 7 to complete thenozzle mouth 56 and connect it to the source of suction.

A nozzle mouth 10 of less cross-section than the nozzle mouth 56 isformed by the rear lip 51, part of the end lips 5858 and the edge H ofthe member 60' as shown in Figure 9. The small nozzle mouth 10 is placedin operative position by elevating the cleaning tool as shown in Figure8 and then lowering the tool upon the surface 69 with a forward motionto engage the end H of the member 60 with the surface 69 and pivot themember 60 to the position indicated in Figure 9.

The opposite sides of the member 60 are provided with bearing surfaces13 and 14 to respectively engage the surface 69 when the nozzle mouths56 and 18 are in operative position. Attached to the member 60 is amember 16 having a serrated edge 11 which cooperates with the edge H indefining the front lip of the small nozzle mouth 10. The curved end 64of the flexible member 62 remains in contact with the pivoted member 60as the latter is moved to its different position to maintain an air sealtherebetween. The end lips 58 are each provided with an arcuate surface15 to permit tilting of the cleaning tool on the surface 69.

Disposed in an elongated recess is a brush 8| having bristles 82 whichare urged into engagement with the surface 69 by a leaf spring 83 asshown in Figure 9. The brush is inoperative when the member 60 is in theposition shown in Figure 7, in which position the member 60 covers thebristles 82 and also moves the brush 8i inwardly of the recess 80 due tothe surface 13 on the member 60 engaging the surface 69.

In the operation of this embodiment of the invention, the large nozzlemouth 56 is formed by elevating the cleaning tool from the surface 69 topermit the springs 61 to rotate the member 68 to the position shown inFigure 8. The operator then places the cleaning tool on the surface 69by a rearward motion to pivot the member 60 to the position shown inFigure 7, wherein the edge 59 of the member 60 cooperates with the endlips 58 and rear lip 51 to define the large nozzle mouth 56. In thisposition the member 60 covers the bristles 82 to render them inoperativeand urges the brush 8| into the recess 88 against the force of thespring 83.

When it is desired to clean with the small nozzle mouth 19 and thebristles 82, the cleaning tool is raised from the surface 69 and theoperator then applies the cleaning tool to the surface 69 by a forwardmotion to move the member 60 to the position shown in Figure 9 tothereby define the small nozzle mouth 10. In this position of the member60 the bristles 82 are exposed and are urged into engagement with thesurface 69 by the leaf spring 83 to assist in cleaning the surface 69.

While I have illustrated and described the invention in considerabledetail, it is to be understood that various changes may be made in thearrangement, proportion and construction of parts without departing fromthe spirit of the invention or the scope of the appended claims.

I claim:

1. A surface cleaning tool comprising a body. a nozzle mouth in saidbody. a surface agitator mounted on said body exteriorly to andindependent of said nozzle mouth for engagement with the surface to becleaned, first lip means defining a part of a surface engaging lip forsaid nozzle mouth, second lip forming means movably mounted on said bodyindependently of said surface agitator for movement to one position tocooperate with said first lip means to define the complete lip of saidnozzle, said second lip forming means when in said one position havingmeans to cover said surface agitator to prevent engagement of the latterwith the surface to be cleaned.

2. A surface cleaning tool comprising a body, a surface agitator on saidbody for engagement with a surface to be cleaned, a first nozzle in saidbody, means movably mounted on said body and having therein a secondnozzle mouth, means defining a conduit for connecting said nozzles witha source of suction, and means supporting said movable means on saidbody for movement to one position to obstruct said first nozzle exceptfor the area of said second nozzle mouth and connect the latter to saidconduit and movable to another position with respect to said surfaceagitator to prevent said surface agitator from engaging the surface tobe cleaned.

3. A surface cleaning tool comprising a body, an air passagewa in saidbody for connection with a source of suction, means forming a nozzlemouth connected to said air passageway, a surface agitator, meansmounting said agitator in said body independently of and projecting inthe same direction as said nozzle mouth for engagement with the surfaceto be cleaned, and means mounted on said body for movement with respectto said agitator to one position to restrict air flow through saidnozzle mouth to said air passageway and movable to another position toprevent engagement of said agitator with the surface to be cleaned.

4. A surface cleaning tool comprising a body, a nozzle in said body forcleaning a surface, an air passageway in said body connecting saidnozzle to a source of suction, a surface agitator on said bodyprojecting in the same direction as said nozzle for removable engagementwith the surface to be cleaned, means mounted on said body independentlyof said agitator for movement to one position to uncover said agitatorfor engagement with the surface to be cleaned and movable to anotherposition to cover said agitator for non-engagement with the surfacebeing cleaned without interrupting flow of air through said nozzle, saidmeans being biased to project beyond the mouth of said nozzle andagitator when said body is lifted from the surface being 6 cleaned andmovable into said different operative positions by engagement with thesurface, and maintained in either of its said positions duringreciprocation of the body on the surface being cleaned.

5. A surface cleaning tool comprising a body, a nozzle in said body forcleaning a surface, an air passageway in said body connecting saidnozzle to a source of suction, a surface agitator mounted on said bodyprojecting in the some direction as said nozzle for removable engagementwith the surface being cleaned, means mounted on said body andoperatively connected to said agitator and movable independently of saidagitator to disengage the latter from the surface being cleaned withoutinterrupting flow of air through said nozzle, said means being biased toproject beyond the mouth of said nozzle and agitator when said body islifted from the surface being cleaned and movable into differentoperative positions with respect to said independently movable agitatorby engagement with the surface being cleaned to control said removableengagement of said agitator with respect to the surface being cleaned,and maintained in either of its positions during reciprocation of thebody on the surface being cleaned.

6. A surface cleaning tool as described in claim 3 wherein said lastmentioned means include lip forming means positioned to restrict saidair flow through said nozzle mouth upon movement of said means to saidon position.

7. A surface cleaning tool as described in claim 5 wherein said meansinclude lip forming means for said nozzle when positioned to disengagesaid agitator from the surface being cleaned.

DALE C. GERBER.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS NumberName Date 1,175,809 Quigg Mar. 14, 1916 1,818,917 Wolf Aug. 11, 19311,902,561 Kuhnel Mar. 21, 1933 2,000,955 Hudson May 14, 1935 2,203,650Forsberg June 4, 1940 2,218,166 Gerber Oct. 15, 1940 2,235,674 ForsbergMar. 18, 1941 2,432,670 Lampe Dec. 16, 1947 2,511,238 Beede June 13,1950 FOREIGN PATENTS Number Country Date 6,806 Norway May 26, 189845,819 Netherlands May 15, 1939

